BRIEF: AUGUST 2013

MISSION:
Traverse Icelands South Coast the hard way, by beach, using roads only as a last resort. 500 miles over 3 weeks through severe wind, rain and conditions that would render a conventional bike useless.

FATBIKE:
The 9:Zero:7 Tusken Fatbike with Ergon Ergonomics was also equipt with Jpaks custom packs to carry everything needed for a three week self-supported expedition.

DRIVETRAIN:
Chains and derailers were out.
To endure the sand, gravel, mud and general abuse, I used a Gates Carbon Drive belt system coupled with a NuVinci N360 continuously variable transmission.
This bulletproof setup allowed me to focus my attention on the difficult ride and resting whenever necessary vs worrying about chain maintenance.

CONCLUSION:
This fatbike equipt with a Gates belt, NuVinci hub, Ergon Ergonomics and Jpaks custom packs proved to be the optimal setup for adventurers seeking steadfast reliability when riding off the beaten path and into the rough where bicycles seldom venture.

Iceland’s South Coast has many ocean inlets and glacial runoffs also the ever present threat of high winds and persistent rain. Geoff will be journaling the expedition with a combination of blog posts and photographs detailing his experiences en route and promoting the equipment provided by sponsors.

Fatbike

This challenge having never been attempted before requires an equally unique bike.9:zero:7 of Alaska built the Tusken fatbike to take full advantage of the frame design, the conventional drive-train is swapped out for a Gates Carbon Belt Drive with the NuVinci® N360™ Continually Variable Planetary (CVP) internally geared hub (IGH). The result is a fatbike that offers versatility and dependability. Riders using their fatbike for beach riding no longer worry about sand or salt wrecking havoc on the drive-train.

The NuVinci® N360™ IGH features 360 degrees of gear range. This translates into gearing slightly less than a conventional Mountain Triple. The beauty of the NuVinci is the sealed CVP design which provides an infinite “gear” choice, seamless shifting with no loss of torque.

By utilizing the Gates Carbon CDX Centertrack Drive, the bike is very efficient and incredibly quiet. The updated CDX system sheds sand, mud and debris while ensuring the belt stays firmly in place.